Sex a Factor in Preemie Survival

Gender, birth weight increase odds for newborns
By Eleanor Villforth,  Newser User
Posted Apr 17, 2008 3:53 PM CDT
Sex a Factor in Preemie Survival
Gestational age%u2014the number of weeks from fertilization to birth%u2014is closely connected to chances of survival. In the study, 95% of babies born at 22 weeks died, while at 25 weeks, only about 25% died.   (Getty Images (by Event))

Gestational age is not the only factor determining odds of a very premature baby's survival, a study finds. Being female, receiving lung-maturing steroids before birth, an extra 3½ ounces of weight and being a single birth all help as much as an extra week of pregnancy, the AP reports. The findings will help doctors and parents decide on heroic measures to save a fragile preemie. (More baby stories.)

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